Automatic dam



.AUIOMA'IIC um Dec. 14, 11954 H. o. BEN-TRUE Filed Sim. 21. .1950

2 Sheets-Sheet 1;

IN VEN TOR. Hen'ry D. BenfruP ATTORNEY "Dem 14, 1954 H. D. BENTRUP2,696,713

AUTOMATIC DAM Filed Sept. 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla-3 ATT ORNEYUnited States Patent fi 2,696,713 Patented Dec. 14, 1954 AUTOMATIC DAMHenry D. Bentrup, Deerfield, Kans.

Application September 21, 1950, Serial No. 186,091

8 Claims. (Cl. 61 -29) The present invention relates to an automatic damfor use, for example, in irrigation ditches and the like, one of theimportant objects of the invention being to provide a more efiiclent andmore easily operated device or assembly of this nature which providesfor a more positive and reliable release of the stream-damming member orcurtam to its operative position in a ditch at a predetermined time, andfor the secured holding of the dam assembly in position in a ditchwhereby leakage of and flow of water past the darn curtain issubstantially eliminated.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide means insuch a dam which holds the leading edge of the dam curtain on the ditchbottom and which also conforms the leading edge to any uneven places orirregular surfaces present in the ditch bottom.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a new and noveldevice of the aforesaid character which is relatively simple in theconstruction and association of its component parts whereby the devicecan be produced in a serviceable and attractive form at relatively lowcost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved damassembly including a flexible curtain, having manually-set or adjustedmeans capable of automatieally releasing the flexible curtain of theassembly at a predetermined time to permit it to move from itsinoperative, or out-of-use position above the water level in theirrigation ditch, to its operative position within said ditch.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specificembodiment of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like partsthroughout the several views:

Fig. l is a general top plan view showing the said embodiment inposition relative to an irrigation ditch, and

water distributing openings in the sides of the ditch above the dam;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows and showing'the dam curtain inraised inoperative position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows andshowing the dam curtain in elevated inoperative position in full lines,and in depressed operative position in broken lines;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail view, partly brokenaway, showing the set position of the dam curtain re easing means;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the curtain releasing meansin released position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of j the clock oerated mechanism, showing the same in engaged position; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional detail taken on theline 7--7 of Fig. 2.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understoodalso that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for thepurpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended tolimit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the priorart.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 7.

generally designates an irrigation ditch in which water 8 flows in thedirection of the arrow 9 in Figures 1 and 3. As shown, the ditch 7 hasflow openings 10 cut in its opposite banks 11 to a level below the topof the water 8, which are partially closed by light tampings of earth 12positioned below the tops 13 of the banks 11 which are easily washed outby water from the ditch 7 upon a rise of the water 8 when the ditch 7 isdammed at a desired time at a point beyond the openings 10, so thatwater can flow through the cuts 10.

In accordance with the present invention such damming of the ditch 7 isautomatically produced by placing across the ditch 7 on the downstreamside of the cuts, a component A and below it a component B, the twocomponents being operatively associated with a stream-damming memberwhich may be in the form of a flexible curtain C positionedtherebetween.

The component A, being the dam curtain releasing mechanism, preferablycomprises a fiat bar or plank 14 long enough to have adequate support onand extend between the ditch banks 11 and wide enough to eliminatesidewise tipping of the bar 14. A set of hinges 15 are positioned alongthe downstream edge 16 of the bar 14, each such hinge 15 involving aleaf 17 secured on the top of the bar 14, a leaf 18 secured to the side19 of a substantially square release bar 20, with the pin barrels 21 andthe cooperating hinge pin 22 extending over the edge 16. as shown inFigures 4 and 5. The hinges 15 are preferably of the spring type, withthe coiled springs 23 thereof functioning to bias the bar 20 toward thede pressed dam curtain releasing position, shown in Fig. 5, from the setdam curtain holding position, shown in Fi 4.

The side of the bar 20 opposite the side 19 is formed withverticalsockets 28 spaced therealong in a longitudinal row. The leadingedge 29 of the dam curtain C'has fixed thereon at intervalscorresponding in position to the sockets 28, the oval weights 30 whichhave stems 31 projecting therefrom. In the set position of the releasebar 20 the weight stems 31 are loosely inserted in the sockets 28, asshown in Fig. 4, whereby the leading edge 29 of the darn curtain C issuspended in elevated inoperative position in the ditch 7 above thewater 8, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. The trailing edge 32 of thedam curtain C is secured in suitable manner to a bar 33 constituting thecomponent B, and which straddles the ditch 7 at a suitable distancedownstream from the component A. Adjustable and preferably double cords34 are secured to opposite ends of the leading edge 29 of the darncurtain C by passing each of them through a grommet 29a (see Fig. 1).Knots 34a are then formed in the doubled cords. The knots are spaced, asshown, and are adapted to be engaged with hooks. or the like on the endportions of the bar 14. The doubled cords 34 preferably have enoughslack to let the leading edge of the dam curtain reach the bottom 35 ofthe ditch 7. while controlling the, position of the darn curtain. Theypermit the weights 30 to overcome floating tendencies of the dam curtainand to conform the leading edge 29 to any unevenness in the ditchbottom, thereby sealing off the flow of water past the dam curtain C. Byproviding the doubled cords 34 with the spaced knots 34a, it will beunderstood that the dam curtain can be adjusted properly for irrigationditches. or the like of various depths, it being important, of course,that the leading or lower edge 29 of said flexible curtain lie againstthe bottom or bed of the ditch and conform to any irregularities in saidbottom or ditch.

The release mechanism which in its set position holds the release bar inthe position of Fig. 4 comprises a suitable clock mechanism such as analarm clock 36. fixed on the top of the bar 14 behind the bar 20 andhaving an alarm winding key 37 projecting therefrom. As shown in Fig. 6,the key 37 has on one end a hooklike portion 38. attached to the key inany suitable manner, asby welding. A trigger rod 39 is loosely pivotedat one end on an eye 40 secured in the top of the bar 14, as indicatedat 41, so that the rod 39 can lean at a forward angle and engage itsupper end 42 with the hook 38 and thereby be retained against falling ina forward and down- This member or portion 38 may be ward directionwhenthevkeyh 37 .is positionedwith .the

hook 38 in a forward position, as shown in Fig. 6.

The trigger or trip rod 39 has an eye 43 near its upper end. with whichis connectedthe rearward end of a flexible cord, or cable 14..-.The cord.44 is. strung downwardly from the eye 43 and. forwardly throughan eye45 fixedin the top, of the bar :14 and forwardly at an upward angle,where its forward. end. is connected to. an eye 46 fixed 1n the side 27of the. release bar. 29, :the lengthof the cord 44 being suchthat ,therelease :bar'

is, held in theset dam curtain retaininglposition-of Fig. 4.

Assuming that the alarm mechanism .(not shown). of

the clock 36 hasbeen. wound and set to go ,off at a selectedtime, whenit goesn off, the key 37 willbe caused to rotate out of'the set positionat such-time. In so d ing, a

the keyhook 38 moves away from the-upper endof the rod 39.= Thisfreesvthe rod 39 and sl ckens the cord 44 so that the'resistance to thesprings 23 is removed. and.-

the springs 23 then act to overturn .or swing the bar 29 forwardly anddownwardly to the release position of i Fig. 5, whereuponthe-weightstems 31 fall out of the sockets Y28 and theleadingedve 29 ofthe damcurtain C fallsto the bottom 35 of the ditch-7 and dams-thedownstream flow of water therein, This causes the water 8 to risebehindthe darn. curtain C and" wash out the fillings 12, therebyflowingwatertherethr u h. -A weath er-proof box-like casing 47 may be providedto rest upon the bar 14 and enclose the clock. 36 andtriggerrod 39...-

I claim: 1. In an automatic dam disposed in an irrigati n ditch or thelike, a flexible'dam-curtain havingtrailing and leading edges. a firstsupport for the curtain comprising a bar to wh ch the tr i ing-edge ofthe curtain is attached straddllng the irrigation ditch and res ing uponits banks. a second supporting bar t hich the leadingedge of thecurtainyis attached straddling ltheiirrigation dltCh and restmg'uponitsbanks atooints spaced-fr m the firstsupport weight means attached tosaid leadingi edge for depressing said leading-edge towardthe ditch?bottom -whensaidedQe-isreleasedfr m-said second supporting bar, meanshingedly attached-to; the :second supporting bar and releasablvconnecting the wei ht -means with -said' secondsupporting ban-and meanscarried by the second sup orting bar for turning said hinedly.-,attachedmeans into position to re ease the wei ht means at apredetermined-time topermitsthe weighted leading.

ed e-of thedam curtain to movezinto COl'liIflCtjWiththC ditch bottom.

2. Structureaecording to claim l',- wherein saidnseca.

ond. supporting bar 'is disposedupstreamfrom said-.first support'bar,and whereinspring-actuated hinge memhers interconnect-the hingedlyattached means ands'aid second supporting bar 3. Aflexibleautomatically-releaseddarn curtain assembly for-a lication to anirrigation ditch adapted .to.

straddleth'e ditch and rest upon the opposite banks there of,comprising-a flexible=curtain having trailing and lead ing ed es andspaced supp rt me hersltmwhi htthe trai ins: and leading'ed es ofthefiexibletcurt inare attached;

the leading dge Of=saidci1rtoin being rele s' bly secured a to lts suort'member, 'Wei zhtmembers disposed atthe lead ng ed e of s1d-curtainrandmeans carried by the sunporttor the leading edge ofthecurtain'f r releasing said... leading ed e at apredetermined.timewherebyato per:

mit -the wei ht memberst lower "the curtain and move said ed e intocontact with the b ttom: 10f the irrigationditchto-cause the dammin ofwaterthe einwv 4. An automaticdam ass mb v f r use wi h an irrigatl ndltPh. comprising afie i le-dam curtain h ving '7 trailingrand-leadinizedges. a'ditchstraddling memberffor supportin the trailing-ed e ofi s ilcurtainwi h relationto the di ch. a secondditchstraddlinmmember forsupporting the leading edgeof the curtain with relation to the ditch and.beingspaced fr mthe first-named di ch stradd ing member, a re ease barcarried by the ditch straddling member f r the leadingedge of thecurtain,

weight members carried by said-leadingtcurtain edgeandbemg;removablvqsuooorted b the rele se bar. s ring means associated withsa1d-release bar for moving said bar at a predetermined time to freetheremoyablysupported-weiohts-and the leading edge of the curtain'andrelease mechanism operatively connected to, the relea.se

bar for releasing the same. 5. A stream-damming member normallysupported above the flow of the stream in an irrigation ditch and havingleading and trailing edges, spaced supporting members spanning the ditchfor supporting said edges of the stream-damming member, said supportingmembers being located at points remote from each other and being spacedapart a distance corresponding to approximately the length of thestream-damming member, automatically actuated meansoperativelyconnectedto said stream-damming member and maintained upon .One of thesupportingmembers for lowering said stream-damming memberinto-adepending position in the-.stream at a predetermined time, saidautomatically actuated means including a hingedly-mountedibar to whichthe leading edge of the stream-damming member is releasably attached,and mechanism for moving the hingedlymounted bar'into apositionto freesaid'leading edge.

6. A flexible stream-'dammingcurta'in normallysupported -aboutthe flowofthe stream in an irrigation ditch, spaced supporting members spanningthe ditch. for supporting thestream-damming curtain, said supportingmembers being located at'points' remote from each other,automaticall-y'actuated means operatively connected to said flexiblecurtain and carried by a supporting member for'lowering'said curtain"into .adependmg position in the stream :at a'predetermined' time, thelower edge of said curtain resting upon the bottom of the ditch, sa1dautomatically actuated: means including a spring-con trolled hingedlyrnounted bar'to which the lower edge of the curtain isreleasablyattached, and mechanism for moving the spring=controlledhingedlymounted bar into a position to free said lower edge." 1:

7. The combination with an irrigation ditch having second support memberstraddling the'ditch and spaced upstream from said first: bar-likesupport member,'weight I means attached'to the leadingedge of saidcurtain for carrying the leading' edgeof thecurtain'to the bottom of the.ditch'When released fr'om an elevated position.

andreleasing mechanism on said second' support member comprising meansto which said leading edgeis releasably. s connected, said meansoccupying aset posltion in which said leading; edge is supported in anelevated 'pos1t1on and; being adapted to' occupy another position inwhich saidleading-edge is. freed to enable said weight means to carrythe leading edgeof the dam curtain to the bottom of the ditch.

8. The combination 'with .an irrigation ditchhaving banks. .of .a damcomprising a flexible damcurtain having a leading edge and a trailingedge, afirst sup orfstraddling the .ditchandresting upon the banks towhich the trai ing edge of the curtain is secured, a second supportstraddling the ditch and spaced upstream from said first support, weightmeans on the leading edge of said curtain arranged to carry the leadingedge 'of the curtain to the bottom of the ditch' when' released from anelevated position,

releasing-mechanism on said second support comprising a memberto whi hsaid'leading edge'is'releasably con-" nes ed, s id member'beinarranaed'to occupy a set position in which said-leading edge issupported in an elevated position and to occupy'another positiomon whichsaid leading ed e is freed'to enab e sa1d weight means to carry the ledin edge of the dam curtain'to position; f r re ease upon theexpiration'of a 'oredetermined period of time and arr nged 'to'freesaidbar for m vement thereafter to its release position, and spring hingemea s. for s in ably interconnectingand acting between'said second suprt and said bar for moving said bar into its release position.

Number N me Date 2 6.2 8 Osterhout' Jan. 1 11 2 .6 Rrads 'iawet al S pt.27. 1 81 l. 2.7" 3 Me denhall et al Feb. 23, 1915 1,237,107 Shaffer Lat.Aug 14, 1917*

